WaterAid's Instagram's From Malawi

WaterAid's Instagrams

WaterAid's Instagrams

As the people of Bokola dig deeper in search of water, they face progressively greater danger.

WaterAid's Instagrams

Though the available water is unsafe, it is what children under five are given to drink.

WaterAid's Instagrams

The matriarch of the village of Bokola returns from seeking water with an empty bucket.

WaterAid's Instagrams

Pre-school children in the village of Kaniche during a physical education class.

WaterAid's Instagrams

Soil samples before water was found underground.

WaterAid's Instagrams

WaterAid team visits the village of Kaniche's water source, confirming the water shortage.

WaterAid's Instagrams

Women returning to the village after retrieving water.

To share its field work in Malawi, UK-based charity WaterAid has taken to Instagram to highlight The Big Dig campaign.

The international non-profit is hoping its Instagram photo diary (@thebigdig) will show the community what impacts clean water and sanitation could have on the lives of 134,000 people in Malawi. WaterAid is currently digging 34 new boreholes and 43 shallow wells, training more than 2,100 hygiene educators, and bringing 20,500 latrines to schools and homes.

"We're trying to reach out to new supporters," Angharad McKenzie, head of supporter development for WaterAid, told Mashable. "We think we're the first to use Instagram to tell stories direct from the field, to give people an idea of life without water and sanitation."

The Big Dig kicked off in mid-June and runs through Sept. 18. During the week beginning Sept. 11, two members of the charity's in-country staff are shadowing 17-year-old Howard from the village of Bokola, whose life will be significantly impacted by a new well in the village. Howard currently collects water from a nearby river twice daily, before and after school, consuming his energy for his academic studies.

The UK's government is matching every donation given to The Big Dig. The charity hopes its social media platform will increase engagement. So far, it's raised more than £2 million, with the government's match.

In Malawi, one in eight children dies before his or her fifth birthday. The average life expectancy in the southeast African country is 52 years.

Do you think Instagram dispatches from abroad are a good way for a non-profit to connect with its following? Let us know what you think of the Instagram photo diary in the comments.

Social Good Summit Information

The Social Good Summit is where big ideas meet new media to create innovative solutions. Held during UN Week, the Social Good Summit unites a dynamic community of global leaders to discuss a big idea: the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve our greatest challenges.

Press: Press credentials will be given to press and bloggers from around the world for all Social Good Summit sessions and the Digital Media Lounge (DML). The DML is a fully wired work space at 92Y to report out of, network with fellow members of the media, and self-organize interviews and exclusive content from Social Good Summit sessions. The DML will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 22-24. To apply, please fill in the form here.

What's Hot

More in World

What's New

What's Rising

What's Hot

Mashable
is a leading source for news, information and resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's record 42 million unique visitors worldwide and 21 million social media followers are one of the most influential and engaged online communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.